Insect control method using 1-phenylprazoles or 1-heteroarylpyrazoles

ABSTRACT

Insecticidal compositions comprising: 
     a) between 0.001 and 5%, preferably between 0.05 and 0.5%, of a solid compound of 1-phenylpyrazole type, in particular 1-[2,6-Cl 2 -4-CF 3 -phenyl]-3-CN 4-[SO—CF 3 ]-5-NH 2  pyrazole; and 
     b) between 0.05 and 10%, preferably between 0.1 and 5%, of a thickener; and 
     c) between 5 and 50%, preferably between 10 and 40%, of propylene glycol, the compound of formula (I) being in the dissolved state in the said propylene glycol. 
     Method for controlling insects using this composition, in particular for controlling ants.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/983,074, filed Jun. 11, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,850 now allowed, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and relied upon, which was the U.S. national phase of International Patent Application No. PCT/FR96/00993, filed Jun. 26, 1996, and designating the United States, which was published by the International Bureau on Jan. 16, 1997 as WO 97/01278, and which claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/007,747, filed Oct. 13, 1995, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to novel compositions intended for controlling insects, and to a control method using the said compositions.

Insecticidal compounds of the phenylpyrazole type which may be used for controlling insects are known, in particular from patent applications EP 295,117, WO 87/3781, 93/6089 and 94/21606. EP 295,117 also mentions compositions in the form of edible baits comprising from 0.01% to 5% of such active materials.

It is often desirable to place such baits in areas in which undesirable insects are liable to circulate, in particular when these insects are ants, cockroaches, wasps and termites, and most particularly insects which travel in a group or in columns such as ants. The areas concerned may in particular include living quarters or areas outside these quarters such as patios or pleasure gardens or passageways.

When it is desired to apply the compositions in the form of liquid baits, it is convenient to distribute these baits in the form of drops, and it is desirable for these drops to remain where they are.

More particularly, when it is desired to apply these compositions in the form of drops, it is desirable for the said drops to remain where they are for the longest possible period, in order for the insects to be able to come effectively into contact with these compositions, and to ingest them as much as possible. In the sense of the present invention, the term drop means a volume of rounded shape of between 0.01 and 1 ml, preferably between 0.01 and 0.1 ml, whose height, for an isolated drop on a flat surface, is greater than 1 mm, preferably greater than 3 mm.

Such an application then poses a certain number of difficulties.

It is thus necessary for these drops to disappear as slowly as possible, in particular by spreading or by evaporation.

On account of the diverse nature of the supports on which these drops may be deposited, it is also necessary for them not to be absorbed too rapidly, for example in the case of porous supports.

In the case of multiple applications from a single storage container, it is also desirable for the insecticidal composition to retain its performance despite repeated opening and closing of the packaging.

One aim of the invention is to overcome these difficulties in total or in part.

Another aim of the invention is to propose advantageous compositions for application by deposition of drops.

Another aim of the invention is to provide compositions comprising at least one insecticidal active material of phenylpyrazole type which is applicable in drop form, in particular under conditions favouring the evaporation or absorption of liquids.

Another aim of the invention is to provide compositions which are attractant and nourishing for insects, especially for gregarious insects and/or insects which live in a society such as ants, these compositions comprising at least one insecticidal active material of phenylpyrazole type.

Another aim of the invention is to propose insecticidal compositions which retain their performance in the course of repeated use, in particular in the course of frequent opening of the packages containing them.

It has now been found that these aims could be achieved, in total or in part, using the control compositions and method according to the invention which are described in detail below. It is pointed out that the percentages indicated in the present text are weight/weight percentages, except where specifically indicated otherwise.

The subject of the present invention is thus, firstly, insecticidal compositions comprising:

a) between 0.001 and 5%, preferably between 0.05 and 0.5%, of a compound of formula (I):

in which:

R₁ is a halogen atom or a CN or methyl group;

R₂ is S(O)_(n)R₃;

R₃ is alkyl or haloalkyl;

R₄ represents a hydrogen or halogen atom; or a radical NR₅R₆, S(O)_(m)R₇, C(O)R₇ or C(O)O—R₇, alkyl, haloalkyl or OR₈ or a radical —N═C(R₉)(R₁₀);

R₅ and R₆ independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl, haloalkyl, C(O)alkyl or S(O)_(r)CF₃ radical; or R₅ and R₆ may together form a divalent alkylene radical which may be interrupted by one or two divalent hetero atoms, such as oxygen or sulphur;

R₇ represents an alkyl or haloalkyl radical;

R₈ represents an alkyl or haloalkyl radical or a hydrogen atom;

R₉ represents an alkyl radical or a hydrogen atom;

R₁₀ represents a phenyl or heteroaryl group optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms or groups such as OH, —O-alkyl, —S-alkyl, cyano or alkyl;

R₁₁, and R₁₂ represent, independently of each other, a hydrogen or halogen atom;

R₁₃ represents a halogen atom or a haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, S(O)_(q)CF₃ or SF₅ group;

m, n, q and r represent, independently of each other, an integer equal to 0, 1 or 2;

X represents a trivalent nitrogen atom or a radical C—R₁₂, the other three valency positions of the carbon atom forming part of the aromatic ring;

with the proviso that when R₁ is methyl, then R₃ is haloalkyl, R₄ is NH₂, R₁₁ is Cl, R₁₃ is CF₃ and X is N;

b) between 0.05 and 10%, preferably between 0.1 and 5%, of a thickener; and

c) between 5 and 50%, preferably between 10 and 40%, of propylene glycol, the compound of formula (I) being in the dissolved state in the said composition.

The alkyl radicals in the definition of formula I generally comprise from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. The ring formed by the divalent alkylene radical representing R₅ and R₆ as well as by the nitrogen atom to which R₅ and R₆ are attached is generally a 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring.

When the compositions according to the invention are applied in the form of drops deposited in a place where insects, preferably ants, are liable to pass, in particular a place consisting of an absorbent support, the compositions according to the invention are particularly advantageous on account of their slow spreading.

More precisely, the height of a drop of the said compositions above a flat surface on which it is deposited remains advantageously greater than 1 mm, preferably greater than 3 mm, after a period of more than 1 day, preferably of more than 2 days, at ambient temperature.

Furthermore, these compositions are of improved storage in the case where their commercial packaging is frequently opened and closed by the user.

The compositions according to the invention are relatively viscous but, despite this, the active material is uniformly distributed in the composition, by virtue of the nature of this composition.

The compound of formula (I) may be prepared according to one of the methods described in Patent Applications WO 87/3781, 93/6089, 94/21606 and EP 295,117 or alternatively by another method from within the general knowledge of those skilled in the art competent in chemical synthesis. This compound is also referred to in the present text by the term active material.

Among the thickeners which may in particular be used are a heteropolysaccharide, a polyacrylate salt, in particular the ammonium salt, a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate, a polyglycol such as polyethylene glycol, starch or gum arabic.

According to a preferred variant of the composition according to the invention, the composition also comprises from 30 to 70%, preferably from 40 to 60%, of sugars. This composition variant is of considerably enhanced appetency for ants. The sugars are chosen in particular from mono-, oligo- or polyorganosaccharides, especially from sucrose, lactose, fructose, dextrose or glucose, or alternatively molasses or honey.

A preferred class of compounds of formula (I) comprises the compounds where R₁ is CN and/or R₃ is haloalkyl and/or R₄ is NH₂ and/or R₁₁ and R₁₂ are, independently of one another, a halogen atom and/or R₁₃ is haloalkyl.

According to a particularly advantageous variant of the invention, the compound of formula (I) used in the invention is 5-amino-3-cyano-1-[2,6-dichloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-[(trifluoromethyl)sulphinyl]-1H-pyrazole, which is referred to in the examples by the term “fipronil”.

The compositions which form the subject of the invention may also comprise a preserving agent which prevents degradation of the sugar and/or of the thickener, such as sodium benzoate, 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, benzoic acid, parahydroxybenzoic acid and the ester derivatives and alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal salts thereof, in particular the sodium salt, or 2-phenylphenol and the alkali metal or alkaline-earth metal salts thereof, in particular the sodium salt.

Other additives may also be included, such as a dye or an attractant chosen in particular from a flavouring of animal or plant origin, or sodium glutamate.

The nature and dose of the ingredients in the compositions according to the invention are advantageously chosen so that they have a viscosity of between 30 and 10,000 cP, preferably of between 60 and 1000 cP, at ambient temperature. The abbreviation cP denotes a unit of viscosity equal to a centipoise, also equal to one millipascal second (mPa s).

The compositions according to the invention may be prepared simply by mixing the various constituents together, preferably with stirring and while hot.

Faster and more efficient mixing may advantageously be obtained by preparing, in a first step, a premix by dissolving the active material in propylene glycol at ambient temperature in order to do this, optionally with stirring, so as to obtain a solution of concentration substantially equal to 1%. Next, in a second step, the sugar is first of all optionally dissolved in the water with, if necessary, the preserving agent, followed by addition of the thickener which is optionally dissolved with stirring and with heating to a temperature of between 20 and 70° C. In a third step, the active material premix is incorporated into the aqueous solution prepared earlier.

The invention also relates to a method for controlling insects, characterized in that an effective amount of one of the compositions according to the invention is applied to an area in which the insects are liable to be found.

The term effective amount means an amount of composition corresponding to a dose of compound of formula (I) equal to the dose required to destroy at least 90% of the insects concerned, to which the said composition is applied, in a period of between 2 and 15 days, preferably of between 2 and 4 days.

The method according to the invention is preferably used to control ants.

In this case, the effective amount of composition according to the invention corresponds to a dose of compound of formula (I) of between 5 mg and 5 g per 100 m², preferably of between 10 mg and 2 g per 100 m².

The area may in particular be in a public or private place, such as living quarters.

In order to carry out the method according to the invention, the composition, also according to the invention, is applied to the area in which the insects are liable to be found, in the form of drops. In this case, the said composition is advantageously packaged in a ready-to-use tube, which the user squeezes in order to obtain the required drops.

According to another variant of the method according to the invention, the composition is placed inside a closed bait box containing openings which are adapted, on account of their size, for the exclusive use of ants or, optionally, of insects of similar size. This variant of the method according to the invention is of improved safety, when it concerns an active material liable to present a risk in the event of accidental contact or ingestion by children or pets.

The examples which follow illustrate the invention without, however, constituting a limitation thereof. In these examples, the compound of formula (I) used is fipronil.

EXAMPLE 1

100 g of a 1% solution of fipronil in propylene glycol, known as the “fipronil premix”, are prepared by simple dissolution at ambient temperature.

An aqueous dispersion/solution of 2% of heteropolysaccharide also containing 1% of sodium benzoate, which is denoted by the term “thickener premix”, is also prepared by simple mixing.

1000 g of 0.05% fipronil composition are then prepared simply by mixing together the following ingredients used in the proportions indicated:

fipronil premix: 5% thickener premix: 50% propylene glycol: 34.9% blue dye: 0.1% water: 10%

This composition has a viscosity of 450 cP.

One drop of this composition is deposited in a Petri dish, by squeezing a tube containing the composition prepared above. This drop substantially has the shape of a hemisphere 6 mm in diameter and 4 mm in height. After 2 days, the height of the drop is of the order of 4 mm.

A square receptacle of side length 30 cm is placed in a room at ambient temperature. A layer of soil 5 mm in thickness is placed in the bottom of this container and a test tube which is darkened over part of its length, intended to serve as an ant refuge, containing a pad of cotton wool soaked in water is introduced. A liquid dispenser containing sugary water as a source of food for the ants is also provided.

100 ants (Lasius niger) are introduced into this container and are left to acclimatize for 1 week.

A Petri dish into which 4 drops of the composition prepared above have been deposited is then introduced and the liquid dispenser is removed. The drops were deposited by squeezing the tube containing the said composition, and they have substantially the shape of a hemisphere 6 mm in diameter and 4 mm in height.

The results are observed after 4 days. A mortality rate of more than 95% is observed.

EXAMPLE 2

EXAMPLE 1 is repeated using the following proportions of ingredients:

fipronil premix: 10% thickener premix: 50% propylene glycol: 29.9% blue dye: 0.1% water: 10%

This composition has a viscosity of 400 cP.

The same results are obtained.

EXAMPLE 3

EXAMPLE 1 is repeated, preparing 1000 g of composition containing 0.05% fipronil simply by mixing together the following ingredients used in the proportions indicated:

fipronil premix: 5% thickener premix: 7% propylene glycol: 5% sucrose: 50% blue dye: 0.1% water: 32.9%

This composition has a viscosity of 300 cP.

One drop of this composition is deposited in a Petri dish, by squeezing a tube containing the composition prepared above. This drop has substantially the shape of a hemisphere 1 cm in diameter and 2 mm in height. After 2 days, the height of the drop is of the order of 2 mm.

As regards the test for application to ants, the test of EXAMPLE 1 is repeated. The same result is obtained.

EXAMPLE 4

1000 g of composition containing 0.05% of fipronil are prepared by the same procedure as in EXAMPLE 1.

One drop of this composition, having substantially the shape of a hemisphere 6 mm in diameter and 4 mm in height, is deposited on a horizontal slab, of granular and porous appearance, used for paving a patio.

After 2 days, the height of the drop is of the order of 2 mm.

A tile, cut out of the same material as the above slab and of the same size as the square container of EXAMPLE 1, is placed at the bottom of this container in place of the layer of soil, and the procedure as in EXAMPLE 1 is carried out, depositing the 4 drops of composition directly onto this tile.

After 4 days, a mortality rate also of more than 95% is observed for the ants.

EXAMPLE 5

EXAMPLE 4 is repeated, first depositing the drop of composition onto a flat layer of soil.

After 2 days, the height of the drop is of the order of 1 mm.

The test with the ants is then carried out as in EXAMPLE 1, but with the 4 drops of composition being deposited directly onto the soil.

After 4 days, a mortality rate which is also of more than 95% is observed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An insecticidal composition, consisting essentially of: (a) between 0.001 and 5% by weight of the compound 5-amino-3-cyano-1-[2,6-dichloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-[(trifluoromethyl)sulfinyl]-1H-pyrazole; (b) between 0.05 and 10% by weight of a thickener selected from the group consisting of a heteropolysaccharide, a polyacrylate salt, a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate, a polyglycol, starch and gum arabic; (c) between 5 and 50% by weight of propylene glycol; and (d) from 30 to 70% by weight of sugars selected from the group consisting of mono-, oligo- and polysaccharides, molasses and honey; said compound being in a dissolved state in said composition; said composition having a viscosity of between 60 and 1000 cP at ambient temperature; the percentages by weight being based on the total weight of the composition; the height of a drop of said composition above a flat surface on which the drop is deposited remaining greater than 1 mm after a period of more than 1 day at ambient temperature.
 2. A composition according to claim 1, located inside a closed bait box having openings which are sized for the use of ants.
 3. A composition according to claim 1, further comprising an attractant selected from the group consisting of a flavoring agent of animal origin, a flavoring agent of plant origin and sodium glutamate.
 4. A composition according to claim 1, wherein: (a) said compound is present in an amount of between 0.05 and 0.5% by weight; (b) said thickener is present is an amount of between 0.1 and 5% by weight; and (c) said propylene glycol is present in an amount of between 10 and 40% by weight.
 5. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the height of said drop of said composition above a flat surface on which said drop is deposited remains greater than 3 mm after a period of more than 2 days at ambient temperature.
 6. A composition according to claim 4, wherein the height of said drop of said composition above a flat surface on which said drop is deposited remains greater than 3 mm after a period of more than 2 days at ambient temperature.
 7. A composition according to claim 1, wherein said sugars are present in an amount of from 40 to 60% by weight.
 8. A composition according to claim 4, wherein said sugars are present in an amount of from 40 to 60% by weight.
 9. A composition according to claim 5, wherein said sugars are present in an amount of from 40 to 60% by weight.
 10. A composition according to claim 6, wherein said sugars are present in an amount of from 40 to 60% by weight.
 11. An insecticidal composition consisting essentially of: (a) between 0.001 and 5% by weight of the compound 5-amino-3-cyano-1-[2,6-dichloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-[(trifluoromethyl)sulfinyl]-1H-pyrazole; (b) between 0.05 and 10% by weight of a thickener selected from the group consisting of a heteropolysaccharide, a polyacrylate salt, a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate, a polyglycol, starch and gum arabic; (c) between 5 and 50% by weight of propylene glycol; (d) from 30 to 70% by weight of sugars selected from the group consisting of mono-, oligo- and polysaccharides, molasses and honey; and (e) a preserving agent, in an amount sufficient to prevent degradation of the sugars and/or of the thickener, said preserving agent being a member selected from the group consisting of sodium benzoate, 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, benzoic acid, parahydroxybenzoic acid and the ester derivatives, alkali metal and alkaline-earth metal salts thereof, and 2-phenylphenol and the alkali metal and alkaline-earth metal salts thereof; said compound being in a dissolved state in said composition; said composition having a viscosity of between 60 and 1000 cP at ambient temperature; the percentages by weight being based on the total weight of the composition; the height of a drop of said composition above a flat surface on which the drop is deposited remaining greater than 1 mm after a period of more than 1 day at ambient temperature.
 12. A composition according to claim 11, located inside a closed bait box having openings which are sized for the use of ants.
 13. A composition according to claim 11, further comprising an attractant selected from the group consisting of a flavoring agent of animal origin, a flavoring agent of plant origin and sodium glutamate.
 14. A composition according to claim 11, wherein: (a) said compound is present in an amount of between 0.05 and 0.5% by weight; (b) said thickener is present in an amount of between 0.1 and 5% by weight; and (c) said propylene glycol is present in an amount of between 10 and 40% by weight.
 15. A composition according to claim 11, wherein the height of said drop of said composition above a flat surface on which said drop is deposited remains greater than 3 mm after a period of more than 2 days at ambient temperature.
 16. A composition according claim 14, wherein in height of said drop of said composition above a flat surface on which said drop is deposited remains greater than 3 mm after a period of more than 2 days at ambient temperature.
 17. A composition according to claim 11, wherein said sugars are present in an amount of from 40 to 60% by weight.
 18. A composition according to claim 14, wherein said sugars are present in an amount of from 40 to 60% by weight.
 19. An insecticidal composition consisting essentially of: (a) between 0.001 and 5% by weight of the compound 5-amino-3-cyano-1-[2,6-dichloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-[(trifluoromethyl)sulfinyl]-1H-pyrazole; (b) between 0.05 and 10% by weight of a thickener which is a heteropolysaccharide; (c) between 5 and 50% by weight of propylene glycol; and (d) from 30 to 70% by weight of sucrose; said compound being in a dissolved state in said composition; said composition having a viscosity of between 60 and 1000 cP at ambient temperature; the percentages by weight being based on the total weight of the composition; the height of a drop of said composition above a flat surface on which the drop is deposited remaining greater than 1 mm after a period of more than 1 day at ambient temperature.
 20. A composition according to claim 19, located inside a closed bait box having openings which are sized for the use of ants.
 21. A composition according to claim 19, further comprising an attractant selected from the group consisting of a flavoring agent of animal origin, a flavoring agent of plant origin and sodium glutamate.
 22. A composition according to claim 19, wherein: (a) said compound is present in an amount of between 0.05 and 0.5% by weight; (b) said thickener is present in an amount of between 0.1 and 5% by weight; and (c) said propylene glycol is present in an amount of between 10 and 40% by weight.
 23. A composition according to claim 19, wherein the height of said drop of said composition above a flat surface on which said drop is deposited remains greater than 3 mm after a period of more than 2 days at ambient temperature.
 24. A composition according to claim 22, wherein the height of said drop of said composition above a flat surface on which said drop is deposited remains greater than 3 mm after a period of more than 2 days at ambient temperature.
 25. A composition according to claim 19, wherein said sucrose is present in an amount of from 40 to 60% by weight.
 26. A composition according to claim 22, wherein said sucrose is present in an amount of from 40 to 60% by weight.
 27. A composition according to claim 23, wherein said sucrose is present in an amount of from 40 to 60% by weight.
 28. A composition according to claim 24, wherein said sucrose is present in an amount of from 40 to 60% by weight.
 29. An insecticidal composition consisting essentially of: (a) between 0.001 and 5% by weight of the compound 5-amino-3-cyano-1-[2,6-dich loro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]-4-[(trifluoromethyl)sulfinyl]-1H-pyrazole; (b) between 0.05 and 10% by weight of a thickener which is a heteropolysaccharide; (c) between 5 and 50% by weight of propylene glycol; (d) from 30 to 70% by weight of sucrose; and (e) a preserving agent which is sodium benzoate, in an amount sufficient to prevent degradation of the sucrose and/or of the thickener; said compound being in a dissolved state in said composition; said composition having a viscosity of between 60 and 1000 cP at ambient temperature; the percentages by weight being based on the total weight of the composition; the height of a drop of said composition above a flat surface on which the drop is deposited remaining greater than 1 mm after a period of more than 1 day at ambient temperature.
 30. A composition according to claim 29, located inside a closed bait box having openings which are sized for the use of ants.
 31. A composition according to claim 29, further comprising an attractant selected from the group consisting of a flavoring agent of animal origin, a flavoring agent of plant origin and sodium glutamate.
 32. A composition according to claim 29, wherein: (a) said compound is present in an amount of between 0.05 and 0.5% by weight; (b) said thickener is present in an amount of between 0.1 and 5% by weight; and (c) said propylene glycol is present in an amount of between 10 and 40% by weight.
 33. A composition according to claim 29, wherein the height of said drop of said composition above a flat surface on which said drop is deposited remains greater than 3 mm after a period of more than 2 days at ambient temperature.
 34. A composition according to claim 30, wherein the height of said drop of said composition above a flat surface on which said drop is deposited remains greater than 3 mm after a period of more than 2 days at ambient temperature.
 35. A composition according to claim 29, wherein said sucrose is present in an amount of from 40 to 60% by weight.
 36. A composition according to claim 32, wherein said sucrose is present in an amount of from 40 to 60% by weight. 